The Wantage Tramway

This fascinating railway connected the old market town of Wantage with the
GWR's line at Wantage Road, on the line between Reading and Swindon. It was
most unusual in that the line ran alongside the main road, in a manner which
is much more frequently seen on the continent than in Britain. The line was
to remain a 'one off' and continued as an independent concern throughout its
existence, from incorporation in 1873 through to closure in 1945, and the
company's dissolution in 1947. The charm of the Wantage Tramway lay its unique
character. Like many railways in Britain, World War II left the railway in
a very rundown condition, the rise of the motor bus was the Wantage Tramway's
final 'nail in the coffin'. There were some very unusual forms of motive power
used over the years including some interesting steam trams used in the early
days.

The Wantage Tramway was in reality only a railway from the waist down. It
evolved that way, although the directors planned freight carriage from the
outset, but tramway status brought many economics. The resulting curious hybrid
was photographed by relatively few people, but some fresh pictures have been
discovered to add to the classic views of this unique operation, which made
a consistent profit even in its final year.